SYCAMORE SCHOOL Indianapolis, Indiana - HEAD OF SCHOOL Start Date: July 2023 sycamoreschool.org
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SYCAMORE SCHOOL Indianapolis, Indiana HEAD OF SCHOOL Start Date: July 2023 sycamoreschool.org
Mission
Sycamore School exists so that academically gifted children can experience the
enriched, accelerated education they need to reach their potential and to lead
responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives.
Core Values
• Respect: self, others, property, and time
• Moral Courage: honesty, integrity, right action, purpose, courage
• Relationships: appreciation, service, community, citizenship
• Empathy: compassion, kindness, acceptance, diversity
OVERVIEW
Sycamore School is mission-driven. The school exists because of its unique focus on a population of
students who need and thrive on Sycamore’s laser focus on Gifted and Talented students. From Early
Childhood through 8th grade, 414 students attend a school that is dedicated to understanding their
unique talents and needs.
Located on a spacious and well-equipped campus in Indianapolis, Sycamore is a place of joy, a place
of warmth and welcoming, and unquestionably student-centered. Sycamore recognizes that gifted
children are not all alike, and endeavors to meet each child where he or she is. They are committed
to serving not only the accelerated academic needs of these children, but their social, emotional and
psychological needs as well.
After many years of successful leadership, Head of School Diane Borgmann has announced her
retirement effective the end of the 2022-23 school year. Sycamore seeks an inspired and inspiring new
head to lead the school in the ever-evolving field of gifted education, starting July 1, 2023.
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STRENGTHS OF THE SCHOOL
Among the many strengths of Sycamore, the new Head will find:
• A school with a clear sense of mission and an unambiguous focus of the full program of the school
on that mission;
• A dedicated and skilled faculty who have an enviable track record of serving Sycamore’s student
population. Moreover, it is apparent that they care deeply about the students and not just as academic
learners;
• Faculty and staff who describe Sycamore as a fun place to work, appreciate that they are trusted to
do their jobs well, and enjoy the camaraderie of their colleagues;
• A highly regarded administration and staff completely dedicated to the mission of the school;
• A relatively new, purpose-built campus that is well-suited and well-equipped for the education that
happens there every day;
• A strong financial foundation resulting from a history of excellent fiscal management;
• A strong sense of community and love of the school;
• A school that is loving and caring, but also sets high standards and expectations for students
and adults alike. Sycamore School was awarded a 2019 “Best Places to Work” recognition by the
Indianapolis Star, an objective and highly valued recognition.
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SCHOOL HISTORY
Founded in 1985, Sycamore School was pioneered by a group of parents and teachers who felt that the
unique needs of their high-achieving children were not being met by existing public and private schools.
With a vision to provide an exceptional learning environment for children who were academically gifted,
the group sought to create a private, independent institution, and thus, Sycamore School was chartered
as a not-for-profit corporation in Indiana. In the fall of 1985 the school opened its doors in a building
leased from a Unitarian Church with 110 students in kindergarten through grade 5.
Enrollment expanded rapidly, and the young institution quickly outgrew the church’s available space.
In the fall of 1989, Sycamore School moved to a vacant public school building where it still resides
today. Over the years and after several heads and improvement initiatives, Sycamore continues to
advance its reputation as the nationally recognized leader in the education of gifted children. The
200,000 square foot school currently sits on 16-acres and houses state-of-the-art academic facilities:
classrooms, science and computer labs, music and art studios, gymnasium, auditorium, and library.
The grounds also contain athletic fields and play areas for younger children.
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THE SCHOOL
Sycamore School is a place “where gifted kids thrive.” In a nurturing environment, students gain
confidence in their abilities and develop a joy for life-long learning. As Indiana’s only accredited, private,
independent preschool-grade 8 school for gifted students, Sycamore understands that gifted learners
have special intellectual, social, and emotional needs. Because of this, the school provides a rigorous
academic curriculum that offers greater complexity, more depth, and a faster pace than is typical. Here,
students are exceptionally prepared with the foundation necessary to thrive in high school, college, and
beyond.
The faculty and staff at Sycamore are passionate about gifted children and their education. As some
of the finest educators in the country, the faculty provide unparalleled personal attention to students,
differentiating instruction based on each child’s skill level and readiness in each subject area and
challenging them to learn creative problem-solving techniques, master higher-level thinking skills, and
become critical thinkers. All teachers are highly trained in gifted education with 73 percent holding
advanced degrees. Members of the Sycamore faculty and administration share their expertise at
numerous presentations at NAGC, IAG, and ISACS conventions as well as during Sycamore’s annual
Gifted Education Summit.
Sycamore embodies a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion through its academic curriculum,
extracurricular programs, social-emotional practices, and community. The school embraces diversity
of all forms, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, family
structure, physical abilities, socioeconomic status, and political and social values. Sycamore’s core
values of respect, moral courage, relationships, and empathy prepare students for a diverse and global
society.
Sycamore School is a member of ISACS, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, an
accrediting association of over 200 schools in a 15-state region reaching from Minnesota to Arkansas,
and from eastern Kansas to Ohio and West Virginia. The school is also an institutional member of
the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National Association for Gifted Children
(NAGC), and the Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG).
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ACADEMICS
The academic curriculum at Sycamore is accelerated and differentiated based on the rate and intensity
that best fits each individual student. Faculty develop curriculum utilizing the latest research from
prevailing scholarship experts and best education practices for gifted learners. Here, learning is both
joyful and challenging. Students are immersed in an environment that values hands-on experience
and fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Class sizes are small enough to allow
significant individual attention, yet large enough to promote desirable intellectual and social interaction
among students.
Early Childhood (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten)
Representing the youngest age level, the Early Childhood division promotes essential foundational skills
for students to develop a healthy, realistic self-concept. The curriculum is interactive and stimulating
allowing students to acquire appropriate and effective interpersonal skills and establish positive attitudes
toward school and learning. Preschool students read and write to the extent of their ability. Handwriting
instruction begins in Prekindergarten. Formal reading and math instruction begins in Kindergarten,
and children are grouped with others having similar skills. Students receive instruction from specialists
in Spanish, art appreciation, music, and physical education. Each classroom is equipped with iPads,
and Kindergarten students go to media class for additional instruction. The Early Childhood division
encourages exploratory behavior and emotional and intellectual risk-taking, facilitates creative and
productive thinking, and teaches higher level thinking skills.
Lower School (Grades 1 – 4)
In Lower School, students begin to acquire a strong knowledge base and master academic skills.
The curriculum is both accelerated and enriched through flexible grouping strategies and includes
reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. Instruction in music, art,
Spanish, media and technology, and physical education is provided by specialists in those areas.
Students in this division enjoy a significant number of field trips, guest speakers, and written and visual
media. Instruction in each grade level takes place in a learning environment that promotes higher-level
thinking, self-motivation, responsibility, compassion, and independence.
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HIGH SCHOOL AND
COLLEGE MATRICULATION
After graduating from Sycamore, students
continue their academic pursuits at some
of the finest high schools and universities,
including the following, among many:
High School Matriculation
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
Carmel High School
Cathedral High School
Choate Rosemary Hall School
Covenant Christian High School
Culver Academies
Guerin Catholic High School
International School of Dusseldorf
North Central High School
Park Tudor High School
Phillips Academy Andover
Purdue Polytechnic High School
Tenafly High School
Middle School (Grades 5 – 8) University High School of Indiana
Students in Middle School take even more University of Chicago Laboratory School
accountability in their education and further develop Zionsville High School
their increasing ability for complex thought. The
Middle School curriculum is interwoven, incorporating College Matriculation
skills and content across all disciplines, allowing Baylor University
students to make greater sense of the larger world Boston University
as they continue to develop the ability to think
Brown University
critically, evaluate, communicate effectively, reason,
solve problems, and value diverse viewpoints. Carnegie Mellon University
Core curriculum includes history, language arts, Cornell University
mathematics, and science. Special classes meet DePauw University
between one to four periods per week and include Duke University
art, computer technology, physical education, and George Washington University
Spanish and students may also choose to participate Harvard University
in instrumental music and/or choir. Students in this Marquette University
division enjoy multiple enrichment opportunities Massachusetts Institute of Technology
including service projects, guest speakers, and
New York University
overnight trips.
Northeastern University
Beginning in Middle School, students are assigned Princeton University
an advisor who works with them throughout their Stanford University
entire Middle School experience. Advisors meet with Trinity University
students individually as well as during extended, University of California Berkeley
single grade group meetings, giving students University of Notre Dame
opportunities to improve communication and social University of Pennsylvania
skills, gain self-awareness, and make friends. Vanderbilt University
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THE ARTS
The Arts play a critical role in the education at Sycamore. The school’s rigorous, discipline-based
program improves abilities in other subject areas, encourages higher-level thinking skills, provides
opportunities for creative self-expression, accommodates all learning styles, and offers an alternative
means of decoding cultural symbols. As a universal language, Sycamore understands that educating
students in the Arts allows them to express themselves more fluently and have a deeper understanding
of various cultures. Students in the Early Childhood division are introduced to the language and tools
of artists and gain foundational skills in the visual arts. In the Lower School, students explore various
methods and media and receive an introduction into art history and world cultures. The Middle School
program incorporates Art within the humanities program as students dive deeper into history, culture,
and begin to investigate criticism and aesthetics in depth. For some students, the visual arts may offer
the most viable avenue to self-expression.
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ATHLETICS
Sycamore has a long history of athletics as part of an overall educational experience. Physical Education
is incorporated across all three divisions emphasizing movement, gross motor development, and
cooperation skills. In Middle School, students have the opportunity to participate in one of Sycamore’s
13 athletic programs where they further develop their physical abilities and sportsmanship in a team
environment. The athletic program includes cross country, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf,
and track and field and has captured 12 Indianapolis Independent School League Championships.
The athletic program was boosted by the construction of a new athletics wing at Sycamore in 2005. A
capital campaign provided for a new Sycamore School gymnasium, and the creation of a new athletic/
theater entrance on the east side of the school. The gym includes locker room facilities, a weight
and fitness area, and auxiliary baskets in addition to a regulation basketball court and scoreboards.
Upgrades have included new state-of-the-art lighting installation in 2015.
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STUDENT LIFE
Students at Sycamore School learn, explore, and grow in a dynamic community that prepares them to
thrive in a diverse world. Outside of the classroom, the school offers after school programs, an extensive
summer camp for all grades, as well as the long-running STEM Conference for Middle School Girls.
Sycamore Quest, a before and after school care program, is available to Sycamore students in preschool
through grade 8. The purpose of Sycamore Quest is to provide a caring environment for children during
the hours before and after school. Quest provides a nutritious snack, time for guidance in homework,
and a variety of fun activities. The personal character qualities of respect and responsibility are a focus
of this program.
Sycamore’s summer camps have been a tradition since the school’s founding in 1985. Camps are
offered each summer and at selected breaks during the school year and are designed to help students
discover and explore new topics and interests, build confidence and creativity, and keep their academic
skills sharp. The Sycamore Academy is a middle school program, providing fun and educational camps
for older students. Quest Summer camps offer camps for all grades each summer, from June through
July.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 10Middle School girls enjoy the annual STEAM Conference, designed to heighten girls’ interest in STEAM
careers and to help them select high school courses that will lead them to success in college. Math
events and camps are also offered at various times during the school year.
Sycamore Middle School students may participate in many after-school activities and educational
enrichment programs to cultivate friendships and continue to develop social and intellectual skills.
Activities and programs include a full range of sports, drama, and various academic competitions as
well as service projects and overnight field trips across the U.S.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 11INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
The 15th largest city in the nation and third largest in the Midwest, Indianapolis has a population of
over 880,000. The capital of Indiana, the city has a diversified economy that includes health care,
information technology, and transportation. Nicknamed the Crossroads of America, it is a well-loved
place to live, and its downtown is consistently ranked among the best in the U.S. Several large private
universities are based in Indianapolis, including Butler University, Marian University, the University of
Indianapolis, and Martin University.
Indianapolis is proud of its rich cultural heritage, with seven Cultural Districts throughout the city. These
revitalized areas are centers for tourism, commerce, and residential living. The newly constructed
Cultural Trail connects the downtown Cultural Districts via an urban bike and pedestrian path and is
lined with local artwork.
Indianapolis is a city of museums. The Indianapolis Children’s Museum— the largest children’s museum
in the world—is a favorite learning destination for residents and visitors. The Indianapolis Museum of
Art is a highly regarded institution that has created a 100-acre arts and nature park with a growing
collection of installations, and the Eiteljorg Museum, in its exquisite downtown facility, has assembled
one of the nation’s finest collections of American Indian and Western and Native American art.
Local fans ardently cheer for the Colts of the NFL and the Pacers of the NBA. Each year, the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway hosts the Indianapolis 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world, as well
as the Brickyard 400 and the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. In addition, the city almost always serves
as a venue for the Men’s and Women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. Indianapolis also has a new
professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 12CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
• It is ongoing work to be knowledgeable of and apply both proven approaches as well as new
developments in education of gifted children;
• The school welcomes a range of students, including those considered twice-exceptional (2E). It is
important to provide dedicated specialists for the social-emotional needs of those students, as well
as providing professional development for classroom teachers who need techniques for meeting the
needs of all their students;
• While Sycamore has generally been successful in providing financial assistance for most families
who need it, access and affordability in the future will continue to be an important focus area;
• While attracting and retaining highly qualified faculty is ongoing work, there is also a desire for
greater diversity among the adults working in the school;
• Sycamore is often described as a warm and safe place for the students. At the same time, it is
important to help prepare students for life after the “Sycamore bubble” in their future education and
lives beyond school;
• The school would benefit from higher visibility in the broader Indianapolis community, where it is not
well known;
• While most aspects of the curriculum are strong (especially Math), there is a desire for more rigor
and perhaps progressive approaches in some of the other subjects, as well as a strong technology
component of the academic program of the school;
• As with most schools, ambitions of continuous improvement come with the need for additional funds.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 13DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Among the many attributes desired in the next Head of School are:
• A passion for the unique and focused mission of serving Gifted and Talented students. A commitment
to keeping Sycamore in the forefront of the very best of gifted education;
• An excellent listener who seeks collaboration and inclusivity, but is also able to make tough decisions
when needed;
• A commitment to and experience with the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion;
• Ideally someone with prior classroom teaching experience;
• Both a leader who can articulate and inspire with the vision of Sycamore, as well as a manager who
can lead the team, set high expectations and hold everyone accountable. A visible presence in the
daily life of the school;
• While it is not required to have training in gifted education, an understanding of the uniqueness of
the Sycamore student population sufficient to provide leadership and support for all in the school;
• A good sense of humor who sets a tone-at-the-top of joy and enthusiasm;
• Familiarity with both annual fundraising and capital campaigns would be beneficial.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 14TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will
ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:
• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A statement of experience with or familiarity with gifted education in an elementary/middle school
context;
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of
each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:
Skip Kotkins
Senior Consultant
skip.kotkins@carneysandoe.com
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